Tag Archives: Chinese Pond Heron

Throughout the course of last week, I spent a few of my afternoons on the east bank of the Nakdong River. As many of you may know, the landscape has been subjected to numerous changes, many of which are ongoing, most of which give public access to these once inaccessible reed beds, marshes, and shallow freshwater ponds.

On one hand, it is exciting to explore these new parks in hopes of finding out more about the native species that this rich habitat support. On the other hand, it’s easy for me to feel uncomfortable considering the added pressure contributed simply by my presence. Searching for Yellow and Von Schrenck’s Bittern, which I believe were once more easily seen near the estuary and just upstream, again I found myself unsuccessful.

Species of highlighted interest include:

Chinese Pond HeronArdeola bacchus, two observed together on June 19; one in breeding plumage, the other in “non-breeding type” plumageBlack-winged StiltHimantopus himantopus, one observed in a marsh adjacent to a reclaimed area currently under constructionLong-tailed ShrikeLanius schach, one observed on the evening of June 20; first summer record on the mainland?Common CuckooCuculus canorus, on different dates, two seen in flight near reed bedsKorean Water DeerH. i. argyropus, doe with fawnAmur Leopard CatP. b. euptilurus